–Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

—Galatians 4:4-7 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

Paul is writing to a Mostly Gentile Galatian church, and specifically he makes the salvation that Christ brought to be for those under the law. Why? Well because it’s true.

First think how can this be if we are of a different age, an age of grace and not any longer under the law. Here it says Christ died for those under the law. Eternal truth — we are under the law without Him. In today’s popular teaching the law is to be meaningless for us. God’s actions give place to His law. We are not of a different age, but God has given a newer and better covenant involving the law.

If we wish to split people by “Law and Grace” rather than by “time” and progressive revelation; then this verse says that Jesus only came for Jews according to today’s teaching concerning the law, and this coming then was to make them (those under the law, the Jews) sons — this must be true if the law had been an age unto itself). The Jews were the ones given the law and therefore in today’s teaching they alone are considered to be under the law. But from scripture, we know this is not the case.

–John 3:26-29 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.” John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ John 3:29a He who has the bride is the bridegroom;

How does the bride factor in for the Jews, if Jesus only came to bring them a kingdom? Yet this must be the case, If we use the dispensational definition of ages, law and grace. Yet here we have the bride (church) which if it is divided by ages as the dispensationalists teach, would not then be available to these Jews who are only offered a kingdom. For she (the bride) cannot even be in existence yet, when John the Baptist stated this; for Jesus had not yet resurrected. This was John the Baptist speaking before Christ’s resurrection. John has just told us that man can not receive anything that God has not given or gifted to him. Yet these before Pentecost were coming into the bride.

–1 Corinthians 12:27-28 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

God has set these things in the church, and given them to individuals; John the Baptist himself being a prophet. But men have removed these giftings from the church — stating as their reason “the division of ages”. The church is Christ’s body from its beginning, but from whence is that beginning? We can do nothing that is not given us from God. We can desire a gift, but if it is not also His desire for us it is not given.

— Ephesians 3:5-6 Which in other ages (Genea) was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

The translation of the Greek word “Genea” to mean “age” rather than “generation” (it’s normal usage) causes error and confusion in our thinking. Jesus used the Greek word “aion” to denote the age (entire time of mankind after the fall). This “Age” was further defined by Him as the time of marriage and giving in marriage which was the gift given by God to Adam and Eve. (Luke 20:34).

So, did Christ’s coming introduce a different “age”, or rather then that a new thing occurring within the age of fallen human kind. Paul says that Gentiles are now being incorporated into the one body of Messiah under a new and better covenant. The Gospel explains that covenant.

— Ephesians 5:24, 27 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

— 1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Individually we are to abide in Christ, set apart, unto Him. An empty vessel for His use.

Proverbs 16:22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. (KJV)

Jesus in His message to the churches of Revelation, made understanding even more relevant to us when He says: he that has ears to hear and eyes to see, is the only one who even has the possibility to be associated with the overcomer,.

We are of this age and in Him we are of the one body in Christ. And this position reaches all the way back to Adam. Read 1 Corinthians 15, and you will see why this must be. How did Adam, Noah, and Abraham all come to be in this body and bride as this passage requires that they must be? It was Jesus, who took the gospel to those awaiting Him when He descended to the belly of the earth, which was then, at that time, where paradise resided. And until the bride has made herself ready, we cannot enter into the age to come. Not until all are in Christ.

Never has there been a time such as we are seeing, when it becomes so clear what these words to us mean, as in this time when men refuse to (see hear and understand) just how blessed they are to live in “any” nation which will offer them freedom to seek and believe truth, and to understand and to believe in what they find to be eternal truth in Christ Jesus.

But what we find today, is that the truth, means nothing to the vast majority of individuals both inside and outside the church. The chances are that the truth (that God will judge your actions and your beliefs) also has lost its meaning for you. The truth that the sins that you have committed against someone, for which there is no ability on your part to undo without Him, is a condition lost to so many. The truth that the someone against whom you sinned could even be yourself, is also lost. Accountability seems lost today by most in our world.

Esau, sought repentance with tears and could not find it. Why, because it was impossible to restore things to their former condition. He could never be restored to that position existing before he had sold his birthright. Only Christ could provide him with a paid in full settlement for his sins. And only Christ can provide you with the gift of eternal life if you are trusting completely in Him for the payment of your sins.

The battle you face is a spiritual one that without Christ you are unable to fight. Men who are still able to hear this word need to heed it.

If you are in Christ don’t allow Satan to rob you of your crown. We receive nothing that is not given us by Christ. We keep nothing that we do not commit to Him and intrust to Him to keep. Abide in Him.